Anyone who suspects neglect or abuse is asked to call 855-DWA-OHIO or go to dangerouswildanimals.ohio.gov, where there is also a form to report where dangerous animals are being kept. The hotline will be answered between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Inspecting facilities with dangerous wild animals. The Division of Wildlife will inspect the 200 properties where people have permits to keep native wildlife, including black bears.

Ordering that the six exotic animals that survived, because they weren't released from their cages, be quarantined. Three leopards, two macaque monkeys and a grizzly bear will be housed at the Columbus Zoo until they are deemed healthy and free of parasites.

The animals belonged to 62-year-old Terry Thompson, who opened their cages then fatally shot himself in his driveway.

Grizzly bears and leopards are endangered animals, protected by the federal government. Though multiple agencies responding to complaints had repeatedly visited Thompson's property, he was never reported for failing to have a permit to possess the endangered animals. His tigers were hybrids, not endangered Bengal tigers covered by the Endangered Species Act.

Plain Dealer fileAbout 100,000 American horses are trucked for hours to slaughterhouses in Canada and Mexico each year.

Hauling horses to slaughterLeroy Baker Jr., owner of the Sugarcreek Livestock Auction in Tuscarawas County, has failed to pay more than $172,000 in federal fines for repeatedly violating the Commercial Transportation of Equine for Slaughter Act. He has owed the penalty since December 2008 for shipping animals that arrived dead or barely alive; shipping severely injured and blind horses; failing to check on animals every six hours during shipment; failing to get veterinary care for animals in distress; shipping stallions with other horses; arriving at slaughterhouses outside business hours; and paperwork violations, according to federal court records. Baker has been auctioning, buying and shipping horses and livestock since 1985.

He shipped more than 1,000 horses a year to Texas slaughterhouses until 2007, when state legislators banned slaughtering horses in the U.S. Since then, about 100,000 horses a year have been trucked to slaughterhouses in Mexico and Canada, which ship the meat to France, Italy and Japan for human consumption. The American Horse Slaughter Prevention Act, which would outlaw the export of horses for human consumption, was introduced in June in the U.S. Senate and September in the U.S. House of Representatives. Details: humanesociety.org/issues/horse_slaughter.

PAWS teams with Harvest for HungerAdopt a dog, cat, puppy or kitten before the end of the year from the Public Animal Welfare Society and $5 of the fee goes to Harvest For Hunger, which feeds needy people. Each $5 donation provides 20 meals. Adoption fees are $30 for a cat, $50 for a kitten, $75 for two kittens, $150 for a dog and $175 for a puppy. PAWS' foster homes are full; PAWSOhio.org, 440-442-7297.

Lakewood catsNeutered, vaccinated cats that have been socialized in foster homes are $20 each through the end of the year at the Lakewood Animal Shelter. Some special cats are available, like Mystic, who had nearly all of her teeth removed because of gum disease. She recovered and eats moist food. Details: 216-529-5020, cclasfoster@yahoo.com, cclas.info.

CoyotesThe Cuyahoga Valley National Park hosts a Calling All Coyotes program about local coyotes and their behavior from 7 to 8 p.m. Saturday at the Ledges Shelter, on Ledges Road, off Truxell/Kendall Park Road, Peninsula. Weather permitting, participants will take a short walk to call coyotes and listen for their responses. Details: dayinthevalley.com, 330-657-2752.

Adoptions in Summit CountyThe second annual county adoption drive runs from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday at the $3 million "green" animal control facility at 250 Opportunity Pkwy., Akron; 330-643-2845. Vaccinated and neutered cats are $10; dogs are $24, which includes a $14 license.

Doggie Dash in Euclid The 1.5-mile race for dogs and their owners starts at 8:30 a.m. Saturday at Heritage Business Park, 1345 East 222nd St. Registration is $10 at hmapromotions.net or the Euclid Recreation Department, 585 East 222nd St.; 216-289-8114.

Cleveland APL fundraiserThe Cleveland Animal Protective League sold 340 tickets to its annual Cold Noses, Warm Hearts Fur Ball happening Saturday at the InterContinental Hotel. Tickets are not available at the door.

Dog author in North RoyaltonOhio Air Dogs hosts Patricia McConnell, author of "For the Love of a Dog" and "The Other End of the Leash," at a dinner at 6 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 19, at Carrie Cerino's, 8922 Ridge Road. Tickets are $60, or $40 for just the speech; ohiodockdivingairdogs.com.

Great Danes in WestlakeMembers of Harlequin Haven Great Dane introduce people to their gentle giants from 1 to 3 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 19, at the Pet Supplies Plus, 30034 Detroit Road. The group, based in Bethel, has 30 Danes that need homes; ohiodanerescue.com.

Neutering petsLow-income pet owners can get their dogs and cats neutered by PetFix Northeast Ohio at the Geauga Humane Society, 15463 Chillicothe Road, Russell Township. Fees range from $30 for male cats to $70 for large female dogs. Schedule an appointment; 440-338-4819 Ext. 10 or programs@geaugahumane.org. You don't have to live in Geauga County.

Follow Us

cleveland.com is powered by Plain Dealer Publishing Co. and Northeast Ohio Media Group. All rights reserved (About Us).The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Northeast Ohio Media Group LLC.